I tend to carry a project with me wherever I go so I can whip it out and work on it just about anywhere. I've been known to knit while standing in lines.

Which knitting and crochet luminaries (living or dead) would you invite to a dream dinner party?Barbara Walker, EZ, Sylvia Cosh, James Walters, Prudence Mapstone and Jean Leinhauser.

Tell us about your most unusual teaching experience.

I spent a week teaching Freeform at an old army base near San Francisco run by Carolina Homespun one summer. 60 of us including 5 teachers bunked together and had an amazing adventure along with lots of sharing and learning. And did I mention wine?!

What's your favorite tool in your knitting bag? Why?

A crochet hook. I think a crochet hook is one of the most important tools any knitter can have. Provisional cast-on, picot bind-off, lost stitches, embellishments, the possibilities are endless.

What's the latest knitting or crochet technique you learned that rocked your world?

Irish Crochet! I'm actually attending a class myself in a couple weeks taught by Maire Trainor, premiere Clones Lace teacher from Ireland. I adore the work by the Russian and Ukranian crocheters that mix the traditional techniques with multicolor threads. Lots of their work can be seen in Duplet magazine: http://www.duplet-crochet.com/

When you look at another designer's work, what makes you say "wow"?I say WOW a lot when I see beautiful knit designs but it mainly comes down to clever construction. I'm always amazed when I see something I hadn't thought of that's a twist on a traditional design. I love the swirl and circular designs. There are very simple shapes that take on new possibilities just by the way they're draped and seamed.

Have you ever seen one of your designs on someone "in the wild"? What's that feeling like?I've seen a few people at conventions wearing Ellemyra, a design I did with my good friend Ellene Warren, that went viral for a minute. It's always a thrill to see it! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ellemyra-shrug

As a famous knitting (or crochet) teacher, you must travel a lot. Ã‚Â Do you have any secret airport vices you'd like to share?

Other than Frappuccinos for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I can't think of any ;)

One last thing, what are you most looking forward to about STITCHES?

I seriously don't know where to begin. I love teaching and attending all the STITCHES events so much. Mainly to see my good friends and fellow teachers but I get a seriously inspired high from the amount of creativity we're immersed in. I always come home wishing it was longer!